Robots need humans, do humans "need" robots?

As I read a New York Times article by Michael Corkery in my local paper (Sunday LNP) Technology section it brings up so many themes I have experienced over my career in the manufacturing of products. Maybe my approaching birthday is also making me more reflective on topics like these.

The article begins with a story of why "Marty", the robot I enjoy finding each time I shop my local Giant grocery store has "googly eyes" and has been nicknamed due to similarities to a human co-worker. I remember a podcast in which a bomb disposal robots was deployed by US military to combat IED's. Research revealed that military personnel personalized their robot similar to the way humans develop bonds with law enforcement service dogs. And of course the article wraps up with the requisite mention of "Luddites" (those opposed to technology). The author missed an interesting history connection; just google the history of the word sabotage.

I am definitely not a Luddite, however, I have a healthy skepticism towards the latest tech that will save the human race. The story of my career can be traced alongside the inevitable march of technology from "far out" to full adoption by our culture (think NASA to roomba). I have always enjoyed conversations between technology Luddites and technology innovators, who create new technology and unleash it without fear. For a deep dive on this topic, check out this recent episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Invisibilia.

If you are on either extreme of this spectrum of love/hate of technology, then I would urge you to consider a more "middle ground" stance. And to do that I want to use my favorite beverage, coffee.

One of the most traded commodities in history, coffee is often divided into "waves". Recalling my dad's love of Sanka decaf instant coffee is representative of the 1st wave. Starbucks and many other franchise cafes are the 2nd wave. The 3rd wave is epitomized by the coffee shops I enjoy around my home:

• https://www.passengercoffee.com/
• https://www.squareonecoffee.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/RusticCupLLC/

So what does coffee have to do with technology?

I don't know the details (but any barista at the above 3 establishments or any other 3rd wave coffee shop does know), but Starbucks changed something about their espresso machines at some point in their growth. As I understand it, the Starbucks barista has less control of how the espresso shot is pulled. Starbucks is ensured a consistent product and can focus on training their barista's emphasizing things that allow profitability and scale-ability. I believe that this contributed to an opening for the "3rd wave". To be fair other factors like sustainability, live-able/fair wage, and a developing general concern for our natural resources can also be credited.

Overall the viewpoint I want to offer is that as humans we are driven to make something better. Sometimes that drive is applied to weapons: so hunters could be more efficient and feed more people. They made improvements over the rocks, knives, or the atlatl. Sometimes its applied to creating a beverage like espresso. In my experience the more advanced the technology gets, the more space is created for the "retro" version. Bespoke, artisan, craft.

Recently the end of a craft era was celebrated with the headline "NO GLITTER BEER HERE"...if you like craft beer, then you will find great interest in the history of Carol Stoudt. The article described how a great career has gradually been displaced by broader taste trends. How long before beer that tasted like Carol's brew is once again the hot topic among beer aficionado's?

Another interesting interaction on whats old is new again is vintage denim. People like Peter and Laurie Eaton of 40th Parallel Leather Goods are relentlessly pursuing, maintaining the equipment needed to produce jeans and other denim products like nobody (including Levi's?) are doing as cataloged here.

If you really enjoy something, and then fear losing it, maybe you will find meaning (thanks Chad Frey!) in keeping it in existence. Oh and it does turn out robots (at least in the current inception) depend on people like Electro-mechanical Technology students from Thaddeus Stevens College to translate their world into our world.